Liverpool Lantern Company has today launched a crowdfunding initiative to raise funds for the spring time three day Lantern Carnival.

The creative team behind the much-loved community event is aiming to raise £10,000 during the 40-day campaign on crowdfunding site Indiegogo.

All of the money raised will go directly towards the cost of hosting the three night event held over the February half term 2016 (February 18, 19 and 20) at Liverpool’s Festival Gardens.

Changing the date and location for the 11th Lantern Carnival takes it in an exciting and new direction. Supporters can contribute between £3 and £100 with perks ranging from limited edition t-shirts, priority tickets, and the chance to keep your very own magical lantern following the parade.

Community groups, schools or corporate businesses can lay claim to the top perk of a bespoke lantern workshop, which will be delivered by a Lantern Company artist in the school or workplace at a cost starting at £600.

With capacity for up to 20 people in each workshop this is a rare and fantastic opportunity for groups to try their hand at being creative while supporting a highlight of the region’s cultural calendar.

All materials are included and each group member will create a special lantern to participate in the festival and keep afterwards.

Jo Pocock, artistic director of the Lantern Company, said:

“Lantern Carnival is all about community participation and we want to retain that element as we develop to a three day event. We thought that a crowdfunding campaign would be a great way for people who have loved taking part over the last 11 years, whether as audience members or through the lantern workshops, to get on board and show their support as the Lantern Carnival develops in new ways.

“We are grateful for the continued support and funding from Liverpool City Council’s Culture Liverpool and Arts Council England, but despite our best efforts we have so far been unable to raise the extra sponsorship needed to keep the event growing safely and see it evolve in the ways we need it to and we hope that local businesses and the public will help us bridge the gap.”

“In return for supporting the carnival, our supporters will get the chance to be part of the experience, from keeping a memento of the night or limited edition artworks to behind-the-scenes lantern making workshops.”

The carnival, which attracts audiences of over 15,000 people, has moved from its usual Halloween date to transform into a spring time celebration with a twist, although it is the organisers’ intention to return to Halloween 2016.

Featuring a strong environmental theme, audiences can expect a luminous, otherworldly journey through a secret woodland and waterway route, revealing pockets of illuminated magic, giant insects, live music and other astonishing sights.

To contribute to the crowdfunding campaign please visit http://igg.me/at/LiverpoolLanternFestival/x/12205767